Khalid. Photo Credit: DIM K, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
R&B sensation Khalid delivered a poignant and powerful performance at the World Pride Music Festival in D.C. yesterday, marking both his first time performing at, and even attending, a Pride event, reports Queerty.
The 27-year-old singer, who publicly came out last November after being outed by an ex-partner, was a standout on a lineup that included Doechii, Cynthia Erivo, and David Archuleta.
During his set, the “Location” singer became visibly emotional, shedding tears as he addressed the supportive crowd. “These are happy tears… I want to thank you guys so much. For supporting me. It means the world to me. It makes me so happy. I feel like I’m home here on this stage,” he shared, wiping away tears. “I didn’t know I was going to cry.”
Khalid’s journey to public acknowledgment of his sexuality began with a direct and unapologetic response to being outed.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he shared a rainbow emoji and the comment, “There yall go. next topic please lol.” He followed up by tweeting, “I got outted and the world still continues to turn. Let’s get this straight (lmao) I am not ashamed of my sexuality! In reality it ain’t nobodies business! But I am okay with me 🖤 love yall.”
His moving performance at World Pride underscored this powerful message of self-acceptance and belonging.
